Amusement game apparatus

Abstract

A game apparatus comprises a first portion, a second portion, a first side hinge coupling an interior end of the first portion to an interior end of the second portion, and a second side hinge coupling an interior end of the first portion to an interior end of the second portion. The game apparatus has a folded, closed configuration in which it is portable, and opens to an opened configuration for use and enjoyment. One embodiment of the game apparatus comprises a stand that supports the game apparatus in the opened configuration in an inclined position to bias rolling members ejected onto a playing surface to roll towards a receiving end of the playing surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A game apparatus, comprising:
 a first channel portion including a bottom panel having a length and a width, a first side wall along at least a portion of a length of a first side of the bottom panel, a second side wall along at least a portion of a length of a second side of the bottom panel, and a proximal end wall along at least a portion of a proximal end of the bottom panel;   a second channel portion including a bottom panel having a length and a width, a first side wall along at least a portion of a length of a first side of the bottom panel, a second side wall along at least a portion of a length of a second side of the bottom panel, and a distal end wall along at least a. portion of a distal end of the bottom panel;   a first side hinge comprising a first side hinge center member, a first side proximal hinge element connected between the first side hinge center member and a distal end of the first side wall of the first channel portion, and a first side distal hinge element connected between the first side hinge center member and a proximal end of the first side wall of the second channel portion;   a second side hinge comprising a second side hinge center member, a second side proximal hinge element connected between the second side hinge center member and a distal end of the second side wall of the first channel portion, and a second side distal hinge element connected between the second side hinge center member and a proximal end of the second side wall of the second channel portion;   wherein the first side hinge center member, the first side proximal hinge element and the first side distal hinge element cooperate to secure the proximal end of the first side wall of the second channel portion into abutting engagement with the distal end of the first side wall of the first channel portion in an open position;   wherein the second hinge center member, the second side proximal hinge element and the second side distal hinge element cooperate to the secure the proximal end of the second side wall of the second channel portion in abutting engagement with the distal end of the second side wall of the first channel portion in an open hinge position providing an elongate channel to contain a rolling element and game components therewithin;   wherein the first hinge center member, the first side proximal hinge element and the first side distal hinge element cooperate to hold a top edge of the first side wall of the second channel portion into abutting engagement with a top edge of the first side wall of the first channel portion, in the closed hinge position; and   wherein the second hinge center member, the second side proximal hinge element and the second side distal hinge element cooperate to hold a top edge of the second side wall of the second channel portion into abutting engagement with a top edge of the second side wall of the first channel portion, in the closed hinge position, to provide a compact configuration for storing the apparatus and for protecting game components during transport and storage.   
     
     
         2 . The game apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first side wall, the second side will and the proximal end wall of the first channel portion are connected generally perpendicularly to collected to the bottom panel of the first channel portion. 
     
     
         3 . The game apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first side wall, the second side wall and the distal end wall of the second channel portion are connected generally perpendicularly to the bottom panel of the second channel portion. 
     
     
         4 . The game apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein a height of the second side wall of the first channel portion added to a height of the second side wall of the second channel portion is generally equal to a height of the first side wall of the first channel portion added to a height of the second side wall of the second channel portion; and
 wherein a height of the proximal end wall of the first channel portion added to a height of the distal end wall of the second channel portion is generally equal to the height of the second side wall of the first channel portion added to the height of the second side wall of the second channel portion.   
     
     
         5 . The game apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a latch member on at least one of the proximal end wall of the first channel portion and the distal end wall of the second channel portion; and   a latch receiver on the other of the proximal end wall of the first channel portion and the distal end wall of the second channel portion;   wherein the latch member is engagable with the latch receiver with the first side hinge and the second side hinge are in the closed position to secure the game apparatus in the compact configuration for storing the apparatus and for protecting game components during transport and storage.   
     
     
         6 . The game apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a rolling member storage compartment on the first channel portion and surrounded by a portion of the first wall of the first channel portion along a first side, a portion of the proximal end wall of the first channel portion along a proximal end, a second compartment side wall along a second end and a distal compartment end wall along a distal end, bounded along a bottom of the compartment by a bottom compartment floor and closeable along a top of the compartment by pivoting the second channel portion relative to the first channel portion to move the first side hinge and the second side hinge to the closed position.